Cleveland, OH (92.3 The Fan) – The Browns’ release of linebacker Jamie Collins came as little surprise but it is only the beginning of what is going to be a frantic, yet exciting week for general manager John Dorsey as he looks to turn the franchise into a legitimate Super Bowl contender.
Note that we said Super Bowl.
Not wild card, not AFC North, not AFC.
After finishing 7-8-1, the best record since a 10-6 2007 season, the Browns are not satisfied with just being a team on the rise. They’ve made it clear that the bar has been raised to the highest levels for the franchise since Freddie Kitchens was hired as the head coach.
Now it’s time for free agency.
The hush hush, wink wink negotiations began in Indianapolis. The official legal tampering window opens on Monday with contracts and trades being permitted to be executed at 4 p.m. eastern next Wednesday, March 13.
Remember that last year Dorsey had three trades already lined up three days before the league year began and he wasted no time signing seven players within 72 hours of free agency, so expect a similar approach this year.
Multiple sources have told 92.3 The Fan that Dorsey is working on multiple fronts to upgrade the roster and hit the new league year running.
OBJ rumor mill – Social media went into a frenzy Tuesday night following tweets from Jarvis Landry, Damarious Randall and Odell Beckham Jr.
Dorsey and Giants general manager Dave Gettleman were caught on camera visiting at the NFL Combine Sunday but that is not the only conversation the two have recently had.
At the Combine, Gettleman said, “We didn’t sign Odell to trade him. OK? So, I know that’s all over the place. So, understand that. That’s all I need to say about that.”
A quick reminder that press conference statements are not sworn testimony.
It comes down to price and what the Giants would ask for and what Dorsey would be willing to give up.
It stands to reason that the Giants want at least one first-round pick to be involved, and if the Browns did that, they’d want to send a 2020 first and hang on to No. 17 this year because if everything goes according to plan, next year’s one would be in the mid to late 20s – or – gasp – 30s. Maybe Cleveland throws in No. 49 this year instead.
The Giants need offensive line help and it just so happens the Browns have a surplus there.
2018 No. 33 overall pick Austin Corbett remains a player without a position and or playing time. Multiple league sources have indicated that Kevin Zeitler’s name has been floated out there in preliminary discussions. While Zeitler has played well since signing a mega five-year, $60 million deal in 2017 that made him one of the league’s highest paid guards, there is a potential out built in for 2020 and moving Zeitler to make way for Corbett, albeit dangerous, does make some sense from a fiscal standpoint.
Dorsey has other areas defensively he’d like to upgrade, so maybe another starter, who could be on their way out, would be thrown in to sweeten the pot.
The concern is Beckham himself.
He’s been a problem child from day one with the Giants, but his production has made him worth the constant headache. They paid him, and he’s still a problem.
Maybe his former college teammate and close friend Landry will help keep him in line in Cleveland. Beckham has also developed a friendship with quarterback Baker Mayfield, which is another positive.
While we've been dismissive in the past about a potential OBJ to Browns scenario playing out, we're not so dismissive of the idea these days.
Duke days numbered – The moment the Browns decided to sign troubled back Kareem Hunt, Duke Johnson’s days in Cleveland became numbered.
The fact is there’s just not enough footballs to share between Johnson, Hunt and starter Nick Chubb, leaving Johnson as the odd man out.
The Browns could move Johnson at the outset of the league year, leading up to or during the draft, after the NFL hands down Hunt’s punishment or at the trade deadline when it is assumed that Hunt will be permitted to play.
Social media sleuths noted that Johnson wiped his Twitter and Instagram accounts of any and all Browns references, including pictures.
Johnson did the same last year prior to receiving a three-year contract extension.
Johnson has value, and Dorsey is always looking to add assets, so simply cutting him makes little sense.
Brown out – For fans who think the Browns will jump in the Antonio Brown sweepstakes, think again.
Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert made it clear in Indianapolis at the Combine that he’ll seek a king’s ransom to trade the disgruntled Brown within the division.
It would make little sense for the Browns to send significant draft capital to a division rival that has a history of hitting on picks for a player that may have just a few years left in the tank.
There are plenty of avenues for Dorsey to upgrade receiver, so Brown is out for the Browns. Book it.
Capology – The NFL announced on Tuesday that the salary cap for 2019 has been set at $188.2 million per club.
The NFLPA reports that the Browns rolled over $56.582 million in unused space from 2018 to 2019 meaning the team’s adjusted salary cap for 2019 will be approximately $244.782 million.
With the release of Collins that saved them $9.25 million in room, the Browns enter 2019 with over $80 million in room to play with and that number could increase depending what moves Dorsey makes prior to next Wednesday.
Official numbers from the NFLPA for 2019 are expected out next week.
Tag, you’re (not) it – As expected, the Browns did not apply the franchise or transition tag to anyone prior to the 4 p.m. eastern deadline Tuesday.
Six players were given the franchise tag (tag salary): Falcons defensive tackle Grady Jarrett ($15.209 mil.), Cowboys defensive end Demarcus Lawrence ($17.128 mil.), Texans linebacker Jadeveon Clowney ($15.443 mil.), Chiefs linebacker Dee Ford ($15.443 mil.), 49ers kicker Robbie Gould ($4.971 mil.) and Seahawks defensive end Frank Clark ($17.128 mil.).
Ravens inside linebacker C.J. Mosley didn’t get tagged meaning he’s free to become a free agent, barring a new deal with Baltimore prior to next Monday. We’ll put him in our pool of potential priority Dorsey targets.
There were no players who received the transition tag.
